The Immortality of Marilyn Monroe
 Marilyn Monroe was truly an icon of American pop culture. The actress,
singer and model was known for her comedy skills and screen presence;
however, her sex appeal became her signature. Monroe’s demeanor
was notably controversial for its time. She eventually rose to be one
of the most popular movie stars of the 1950s. Revered as a legendary Hollywood
star, she is idolized throughout the world as a silver screen sex goddess.
Today, celebrity women continue to imitate Monroe’s style, fashion
and elegance, but few come close to the uniqueness of her stunning beauty
and charming personality.
Madonna
Madonna has often said “to have been inspired” by Marilyn
Monroe. Early in her career, she admitted in some interviews that she
grew up idolizing the star. Madonna’s music video for "Material
Girl" recreated Monroe's "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend",
a number from the 1950s movie “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”.
The pop icon copied Marilyn's pink gown and mimicked the intricate choreography
as homage to her idol’s distinctive look and unique flirtatious
attitude. In 1992, Madonna did a parody of Marilyn’s birthday song
to President Kennedy during a Saturday Night Live episode.
Christina Aguilera
In her recent “Ain’t no other man” video, Christina
Aguilera imitates Marilyn Monroe. The video is set in the 1950s with credits
written in a retro font. Aguilera steps out of a car, cleverly labeled
Baby Jane (as a reference to Bette Davis), dressed in a sparkling white
dress topped off with a vintage hat set over her curly, blonde hair. Her
next outfit features fur and a lot of extravagant jewelry, a clear reference
to glamorous women in the 1950s, most notably, Marilyn Monroe. Like the
video for “Moulin Rouge”, Christina Aguilera continues to
commemorate the daring women who paved the road for her own work.
Lindsay Lohan
In an interview, Lindsay Lohan stated her desire to entertain the troops
in Iraq. The singer said she was inspired by the late Marilyn Monroe who
entertained the troops during the Korean War. "I wanted to do what
Marilyn Monroe did, when she went and just set up a stage and did a concert
for the troops all by herself. It’s so amazing seeing that one woman
just going somewhere.” Lohan’s controversial style of videos
has kept media buzzing since her first album release. Along with other
singers, she clearly admires the unique style and level of controversy
that Monroe thrived on.
A birthday song like no other
Marilyn Monroe famously sang “Happy Birthday” to President
Kennedy in 1962. The song and the video of the singer’s performance
is a rare one that many generations have come to recognize. In fact, the
song is often referenced in popular culture., It was presented at Prince
Charles’s 50th birthday celebration in 1998. Former Spice Girl Geri
Halliwell parodied Monroe's performance while changing the lyrics to “Happy
Birthday Your Royal Highness”.
Marilyn Monroe set a trend that had never been seen before. She used her
artistic talent and sex appeal to seduce the world. She initiated a craze
that has revolutionized the music and acting industries. Modern entertainers
of today continue to imitate Marilyn Monroe’s style because it worked
then and it works now. Monroe once said that her great ambition was “to
have people comment on my fine dramatic performances". As she continues
to be remembered and impersonated, her legend lives on. It is clear that
her wish has come true.
Written by Barry Cooper
Barry Cooper is an avid Marilyn Monroe fan and content provider for the Marilyn Monroe Posters site. |
